Last week was the National Council meeting in New York City, and I do have news from
that meeting. I¹m pleased to report first on news that directly affects our region. The
Sarasota-Manatee Chapter¹s application to host a regional convention has been
approved! This will be a mid-winter convention, January 17-20, 2010, with
co-coordinators Roy Roberts and Roger Roszell. Congratulations to Roy, Roger,
Chapter Dean Don Baber, and the entire chapter. I met with them back in December,
and they gave me the grand tour. There are many fine resources there in churches,
organs and people, and who wouldn¹t want to go to beautiful Sarasota in the middle of
winter? Save the date now!
Also approved last week was the Central Florida Chapter¹s application to host a Pipe
Organ Encounter next summer, June 24-28, 2007! Having been disappointed that
there is not a POE in Region IV this year, I am thrilled that Daniel Weimar, the Central
Florida Chapter and Stetson University have taken this on for next year. THANK YOU!
Teachers and chapters can help promote this all next year. You¹ll be hearing more
about this important endeavor.
You¹ve gotten lots of information about this summer¹s National Convention in Chicago.
There were a huge number of early registrants, but there¹s still time to register. 2,000
is the max, however, so don¹t wait too long. You may have heard that the block of
rooms at the Marriott convention hotel is full. This is true; however, there are plenty of
rooms at two other hotels. I recommend the Intercontinental, which is directly across
the street, has extremely reasonable rates (ask for AGO rates), and is nicer than the
Marriott (or so I¹ve been told, and the Marriott¹s pretty nice!)
Other important news I¹ve been asked to share: 1. Please remind your members to
vote by June 1 in the national election. 2. Encourage your members to contribute to
the Annual Fund. There is an opportunity for first time contributors to the Annual Fund
to have their gifts matched through the generosity of several members. The amount of
$10,000 has been pledged for this important challenge. (This applies to gifts made by
individuals, not chapters, although chapter gifts are always welcome!)
That¹s enough for now. Thank you all for the important work you do. I look forward to
seeing many of you in Chicago!
Sarah Hawbecker
Regional Councillor, American Guild of Organists
404-874-8664
shawbecker@redeemer.org